Humans often pride themselves on being at the top of the food chain, but in the galactic arena, we're just barely holding our own. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja" - towering, trophy-seeking hunters from space who traverse the galaxy in search of the ultimate challenge. These extraterrestrial hunters not only visit various planets for their lethal competitions but have also been known to abduct species for their hunts back on their home world.

The initial two Predator films released in 1987 and 1990 set the stage for this thrilling saga. Given the cinematic threat posed by the Xenomorphs from the Alien series, it was a natural progression in the 2000s to create a shared universe, resulting in two Alien vs. Predator crossover films. Over the following decade, acclaimed directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg each added their unique flair to the franchise.

With two new Predator movies slated for release in 2025, there's no better time to dive into the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you watch every Predator movie in order. Below, you'll find the complete timeline of the Predator movies and details on where to watch them online.

Jump to:

• How to watch in chronological order
• How to watch by release order

How to Watch the Predator Movies in Chronological Order

8 ImagesYou can also check out our guide to the Alien movies in order to incorporate the whole timeline.

How Many Predator Movies Are There?

There are a total of seven movies in the Predator franchise — four in the mainline series of films, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two new Predator movies are set to release in 2025.

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Predator Movies in (Chronological) Order

1. Prey (2022)

Prey is a prequel set in 1719 across the Great Plains. It follows a young Comanche woman, Naru (Amber Midthunder), who finds herself in the crosshairs of a primitive Predator while on a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove herself, Naru sets her sights on taking down the alien stalker in this fresh and thrilling addition to the three-decade saga.

Read IGN's review of Prey

Where to Stream: Hulu

2. Predator (1987)

It all began with 1987's Predator, directed by John McTiernan of Die Hard fame and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black. This action classic follows a near-unstoppable military rescue team as they face a terrifying invisible force in the jungles of South America. When the attacker is revealed to be an alien hunter on a sinister safari, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must devise a plan to ambush and defeat a monster far ahead in technology and tactics.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

3. Predator 2 (1990)

Predator 2, set in 1997 Los Angeles amidst a heatwave and crime surge, introduces a new cast including Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso. As they navigate a bloody Cartel war, they must also contend with a formidable alien Predator stalking the cityscape for victims.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

After a 14-year hiatus, Predator returned with a bang through a crossover with the Alien saga in AVP: Alien vs. Predator, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. Set in present-day America, this film reveals that Predators have been conducting hunts on Earth for centuries, using humans to breed Xenomorphs for their rite of passage hunts. The movie stars Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner.

Read IGN's review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

5. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

Aliens vs Predator: Requiem continues directly from AVP, introducing the Alien-Predator hybrid known as the "Predalien." As it wreaks havoc on a small Colorado town, a Predator "cleaner" is dispatched to eliminate this new threat. Though not as successful as its predecessor, this film marks the end of the crossover series.

Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem here.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

6. Predators (2010)

Predators, directed by Robert Rodriguez, breaks from tradition by setting the action on a distant Yautja game reserve planet. With a cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the film explores how humans, specifically "established killers," are abducted for sport by warring Yautja tribes. The exact Earth year is unclear, but it can be assumed to fit around the early 21st Century.

Read IGN's review of Predators

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

7. The Predator (2018)

Shane Black, who starred in the original Predator, directed The Predator in 2018, returning the franchise to its roots. This film follows a squad of unstable soldiers, including Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, as they confront two rampaging Predators and their DNA splicing plans. The movie ends with a tease for further adventures, including alternate endings that hinted at a crossover with Alien's Ellen Ripley and Rebecca "Newt" Jorden.

Read IGN's review of The Predator

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

How to Watch the Predator Movies by Release Date

If you prefer to watch the movies in the order of their theatrical release, the list is as follows:

• Predator (1987)
• Predator 2 (1990)
• AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Predators (2010)
• The Predator (2018)
• Prey (2022)

The Future of the Predator Franchise

The second movie, also directed by Trachtenberg, was kept under wraps for a while. Now, we can confirm that Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated film that will explore three different encounters with the ultimate killer across various points in history. It is set to premiere directly on Hulu on June 6.